All around the world, people celebrate Christmas. And all around the world,
people have taken the celebration of the birth of Jesus and made a Christmas
that fits their own country.
IRELAND
In IRELAND, children often put out Christmas sacks
instead of stockings.
It is tradition to leave mince pies and a bottle of
Guinness out as a snack for Santa.
NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT!
SPAIN
In SPAIN, Papa Noel delivers his presents by climbing
up balconies.
On January 6, the three wise men come to visit and also
leave gifts for the children.
FELIZ NAVÏDAD!
ST-LUCIA
In ST. LUCIA, houses are decorated with pots of
poinsettas as well as Christmas trees.
It is a tradition for everyone to wear brand new clothes
to the large, family Christmas dinners.
DON NÖEL!
MEXICO
In MEXICO, children sometimes leave their shoes out
instead of stockings.
On Christmas Eve there is a parade of singers carrying
bells and candles on top of long poles. They wind
through the streets until they get to the local church.
FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO AÑO NUE VO!!!
NORWAY
In NORWAY, on Christmas Eve, a bowl of porridge,
"nisse" is left in the barn for the gnome who protects the
farm.
When the children first see their Christmas tree all
decorated, with presents underneath, the family joins
hands and circles the tree singing carols.
KENYA
In KENYA, the churches are decorated with balloons,
ribbons, flowers and green plants as well as Christmas
trees.
Christmas dinner is often a barbecue with family
members traveling from far away to be together again.
SWEDEN
In SWEDEN, "Jultomten", a little brownie helps Santa
Claus give gifts to the children who have been good.
On Christmas morning, churches are lit up entirely by
candles for the Christmas service.
BRITAIN
In BRITAIN, children write their letters to Father
Christmas and then throw them into the fireplace so
they will float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole. If
the lists catch fire first, they have to rewrite them.
At Christmas dinner, a plum pudding is served with little
treasures hidden inside that bring their finders good
luck. Britain was the first country to hang up mistletoe.
FINLAND
In FINLAND, it is a tradition to have a sauna bath before
Santa's visit.
On Christmas day most people go to "Christmas
Church" and afterwards visit the grave sites of their
loved ones and light candles for them.
Hyvää Joulua!
UKRAINE
In the UKRAINE, Father Frost visits all the children in a
sleigh pulled by only three reindeer.
He brings along a little girl named Snowflake Girl. She
wears a silver blue costume trimmed with white fur and
a crown shaped like a snowflake.
ITALY
In ITALY, on the evening of the day after Christmas,
children are visited by a good witch named Strega
Buffana. She flies around Italy on a broom and leaves
treats for good children and coal for naughty children.
It is tradition to give a bag of dried lentils to your good
friends to make lentil soup. This is a peasant soup and
reminds them of their humble beginnings and is eaten to
bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year.
AUSTRIA
In AUSTRIA, on December 6, Heiliger Nikolaus (St.
Nicholas) rewards good children with sweets, nuts and
apples.
On December 24, the Christ Child brings presents and
the Christmas tree for the children. The children wait
until they hear a bell tinkling. Then they enter a special
room where the Christmas tree is waiting all decorated
with candles, ornaments and candies. The whole family
sings Christmas carols and wishes each other:
FROLICHE WEIHNACHTEN!
FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!
LEBANON
In LEBANON, families plant seeds of grain in small pots
a month before Christmas. When Christmas arrives they
have little pots of green to place around the Christmas
Cave and their Christmas Tree. The Christmas Cave
holds the nativity scene of Jesus's birth.
FRANCE
In FRANCE, young children leave their shoes by the fire
on Christmas Eve for a gift from "le père Noël" while the
older children and adults go to church at midnight and
then return home for a late supper called "le réveillon".
Christmas puppet shows are very popular in France,
mainly in Paris and in Lyons.
GERMANY
In GERMANY, children decorate their Christmas Lists
with pictures and then leave them on the windowsill
overnight, weighed down with a little sugar so they won't
be missed by Father Christmas.
There is a flower in Germany called the Christmas Rose
which blooms even in the snow and ice.
Frohes Weihnachtsfest
NEW ZEALAND
In New Zealand, it is the middle of summer at Christmas
time. Instead of a hot drink Santa often gets a cooling
beer as a snack on Christmas Eve. Christmas day
families often have a picnic or go to the beach for
Christmas Dinner. It is more traditional to have a cold
ham than a hot turkey.
AUSTRALIA
In AUSTRALIA, Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight white
kangaroos.
Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors and is followed by a
visit to the beach or a game of cricket.
To see a very special Christmas Wish from Kirky in
Australia, Click 'Kirky'
CZECH REPUBLIC
In the CZECH REPUBLIC, Saint Nicholas is helped by
the Infant Jesus to give presents to the children. The
Infant Jesus rings a little bell to let the children know he
has come.
People believe that Christmas Eve has a certain magic
and that you can see your future on that night.
VESELÉ VÁNOCE!
SWITZERLAND
In SWITZERLAND, during the holiday season the Star
Singers (Sternsingers) dressed as the Three Kings
parade through the streets of cities and towns singing
Christmas songs.
In Zurich, Santa visits in a special fairytale tram and
gives the children a ride through the city, singing songs
with them and sharing a basket full of sweets
USA
The USA is so multi-cultural that you will find many
different ways of celebrating Christmas. Many of the
holiday activities vary from family to family and often
depend on the cultural heritage of the family members.
The Christmas tree plays an important part in the
holiday tradition. Often times it is topped by a star
to represent the Star of Bethlehem, or by an angel
which announces the birth of Christ. Various churches
play an important part in the American Christmas. Many
families feel that it is important to go to church on
Christmas. Many families also decorate outside of the
home with regional traditions and the weather playing a
part. Food plays an important part in the American
Christmas. It is often a time of an extended open house
with friends dropping by to bring gifts or just to wish
everyone a happy holiday. Although many families serve
a variety of menus for Christmas dinner, the standard
fare seems to include turkey, dressing, potatoes,
gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, a salad and some
sort of dessert, low carb and sugar free ( of
course...LOL ). On Christmas Eve, Children are snug in
their beds awaiting for St. Nick to arrive through
the chimney to fill stockings, with gifts and treats and
departs in a sleigh with 8 tiny reindeer.
Merry Christmas !!!
In IRELAND, children often put out Christmas sacks
instead of stockings.
It is tradition to leave mince pies and a bottle of
Guinness out as a snack for Santa.
NOLLAIG SHONA DHUIT!
SPAIN
In SPAIN, Papa Noel delivers his presents by climbing
up balconies.
On January 6, the three wise men come to visit and also
leave gifts for the children.
FELIZ NAVÏDAD!
ST-LUCIA
In ST. LUCIA, houses are decorated with pots of
poinsettas as well as Christmas trees.
It is a tradition for everyone to wear brand new clothes
to the large, family Christmas dinners.
DON NÖEL!
MEXICO
In MEXICO, children sometimes leave their shoes out
instead of stockings.
On Christmas Eve there is a parade of singers carrying
bells and candles on top of long poles. They wind
through the streets until they get to the local church.
FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO AÑO NUE VO!!!
NORWAY
In NORWAY, on Christmas Eve, a bowl of porridge,
"nisse" is left in the barn for the gnome who protects the
farm.
When the children first see their Christmas tree all
decorated, with presents underneath, the family joins
hands and circles the tree singing carols.
KENYA
In KENYA, the churches are decorated with balloons,
ribbons, flowers and green plants as well as Christmas
trees.
Christmas dinner is often a barbecue with family
members traveling from far away to be together again.
SWEDEN
In SWEDEN, "Jultomten", a little brownie helps Santa
Claus give gifts to the children who have been good.
On Christmas morning, churches are lit up entirely by
candles for the Christmas service.
BRITAIN
In BRITAIN, children write their letters to Father
Christmas and then throw them into the fireplace so
they will float up the chimney and fly to the North Pole. If
the lists catch fire first, they have to rewrite them.
At Christmas dinner, a plum pudding is served with little
treasures hidden inside that bring their finders good
luck. Britain was the first country to hang up mistletoe.
FINLAND
In FINLAND, it is a tradition to have a sauna bath before
Santa's visit.
On Christmas day most people go to "Christmas
Church" and afterwards visit the grave sites of their
loved ones and light candles for them.
Hyvää Joulua!
UKRAINE
In the UKRAINE, Father Frost visits all the children in a
sleigh pulled by only three reindeer.
He brings along a little girl named Snowflake Girl. She
wears a silver blue costume trimmed with white fur and
a crown shaped like a snowflake.
ITALY
In ITALY, on the evening of the day after Christmas,
children are visited by a good witch named Strega
Buffana. She flies around Italy on a broom and leaves
treats for good children and coal for naughty children.
It is tradition to give a bag of dried lentils to your good
friends to make lentil soup. This is a peasant soup and
reminds them of their humble beginnings and is eaten to
bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year.
AUSTRIA
In AUSTRIA, on December 6, Heiliger Nikolaus (St.
Nicholas) rewards good children with sweets, nuts and
apples.
On December 24, the Christ Child brings presents and
the Christmas tree for the children. The children wait
until they hear a bell tinkling. Then they enter a special
room where the Christmas tree is waiting all decorated
with candles, ornaments and candies. The whole family
sings Christmas carols and wishes each other:
FROLICHE WEIHNACHTEN!
FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!
LEBANON
In LEBANON, families plant seeds of grain in small pots
a month before Christmas. When Christmas arrives they
have little pots of green to place around the Christmas
Cave and their Christmas Tree. The Christmas Cave
holds the nativity scene of Jesus's birth.
FRANCE
In FRANCE, young children leave their shoes by the fire
on Christmas Eve for a gift from "le père Noël" while the
older children and adults go to church at midnight and
then return home for a late supper called "le réveillon".
Christmas puppet shows are very popular in France,
mainly in Paris and in Lyons.
GERMANY
In GERMANY, children decorate their Christmas Lists
with pictures and then leave them on the windowsill
overnight, weighed down with a little sugar so they won't
be missed by Father Christmas.
There is a flower in Germany called the Christmas Rose
which blooms even in the snow and ice.
Frohes Weihnachtsfest
NEW ZEALAND
In New Zealand, it is the middle of summer at Christmas
time. Instead of a hot drink Santa often gets a cooling
beer as a snack on Christmas Eve. Christmas day
families often have a picnic or go to the beach for
Christmas Dinner. It is more traditional to have a cold
ham than a hot turkey.
AUSTRALIA
In AUSTRALIA, Santa's sleigh is pulled by eight white
kangaroos.
Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors and is followed by a
visit to the beach or a game of cricket.
To see a very special Christmas Wish from Kirky in
Australia, Click 'Kirky'
CZECH REPUBLIC
In the CZECH REPUBLIC, Saint Nicholas is helped by
the Infant Jesus to give presents to the children. The
Infant Jesus rings a little bell to let the children know he
has come.
People believe that Christmas Eve has a certain magic
and that you can see your future on that night.
VESELÉ VÁNOCE!
SWITZERLAND
In SWITZERLAND, during the holiday season the Star
Singers (Sternsingers) dressed as the Three Kings
parade through the streets of cities and towns singing
Christmas songs.
In Zurich, Santa visits in a special fairytale tram and
gives the children a ride through the city, singing songs
with them and sharing a basket full of sweets
USA
The USA is so multi-cultural that you will find many
different ways of celebrating Christmas. Many of the
holiday activities vary from family to family and often
depend on the cultural heritage of the family members.
The Christmas tree plays an important part in the
holiday tradition. Often times it is topped by a star
to represent the Star of Bethlehem, or by an angel
which announces the birth of Christ. Various churches
play an important part in the American Christmas. Many
families feel that it is important to go to church on
Christmas. Many families also decorate outside of the
home with regional traditions and the weather playing a
part. Food plays an important part in the American
Christmas. It is often a time of an extended open house
with friends dropping by to bring gifts or just to wish
everyone a happy holiday. Although many families serve
a variety of menus for Christmas dinner, the standard
fare seems to include turkey, dressing, potatoes,
gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, a salad and some
sort of dessert, low carb and sugar free ( of
course...LOL ). On Christmas Eve, Children are snug in
their beds awaiting for St. Nick to arrive through
the chimney to fill stockings, with gifts and treats and
departs in a sleigh with 8 tiny reindeer.
Merry Christmas !!!
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